ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., April 2, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ConnectOne Bank, the sole banking subsidiary of ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq:CNOB), today announced the opening of its Newark, New Jersey branch, located in the heart of the city's Ironbound District. The current location will serve as a temporary branch, while an adjacent permanent branch is expected to be completed in 2015.
"We identified Newark as a thriving small business and financial community in need of highly personalized, technology oriented banking services," said Frank Sorrentino, ConnectOne's Chairman and CEO. "Newark's strong entrepreneurial backbone, proximity to New York City and thriving business community make it a vital area of opportunity for us and its residents."
The new branch extends ConnectOne Bank's customer-first model to the Newark community, supported by cutting-edge consumer banking technology. The branch is also the first to provide customers with access to "universal banking representatives," who will provide a wide range of services from teller and deposit services to customer relations.
Chris Licata, who has established relationships with the Newark community, will serve as the branch's Lending and Relationship Manager. Tiago Goncalves, who has been a leader in Newark banking during his decade long career at New York Community Bank and Investors Bank, will serve as the branch's Assistant Manager.
ConnectOne's Newark branch is located at 217 Chestnut Street. An official launch event is planned for June 2014.
About ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.
ConnectOne (Nasdaq:CNOB) is a registered bank holding company pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, that was formed in 2008 to serve as the holding company for ConnectOne Bank ("the Bank"). The Bank is a community-based, full-service New Jersey-chartered commercial bank that was founded in 2005. The Bank operates from its headquarters located at 301 Sylvan Avenue in the Borough of Englewood Cliffs, Bergen County, New Jersey, and through its seven other banking offices.
ConnectOne has a strong commitment to the communities it serves and is ranked by SNL Financial as one of the country's top performing community banks with assets between $500 million and $5 billion. Additionally, CNOB received a top 10 ranking on NJBIZ's 50 Fastest Growing Companies List and was named the publication's Business of the Year in 2012.
CNOB is an Equal Housing and Equal Opportunity Lender, and a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. For more information, call 201-816-8900, or visit the Bank's website at www.ConnectOneBank.com